UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Toxicology

Title: Interesting Latex Allergy Cross-Reactivity

Keywords: latex, allergy, kiwi, cross-reactivity (PubMed Search)

Posted: 4/13/2011 by Bryan Hayes, PharmD (Emailed: 4/14/2011) (Updated: 4/14/2011)
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Kiwi fruit and latex share several antigens in common.  Thus, individuals who are allergic to either kiwi or latex may also suffer hypersensitivity reactions to the other material.

References

Murali MR, et al. Case 9-2011: A 37-year old man with flushing and hypotension. N Engl J Med 2011;364(12):1155-65.